Deadly Dark Chocolate Contributes to 100,000 Cases of Pet Poisoning

Embrace Pet Insurance has opened up their database to reveal the human foods that poison the most pets the company insures, ahead of Poison Prevention Week. Chocolate tops the list of food accident claims received by the Embrace Pet Insurance, followed by raisins and mushrooms.

Last year, there were more than 100,000 cases of pet poisoning in the U.S. Many of these were caused by substances commonly contained in the home. Poison Prevention Week covers all forms of poisoning, and Embrace is keen to ensure part of the spotlight is focused on pets.

Laura Bennett CEO & Co-Founder of Embrace says: "Raising awareness of everyday hazards in your own pantry can help prevent undue distress to the nation's pets."

The top 20 items from Embrace's claims in order of frequency were:

Chocolate

Raisins

Mushroom

Xylitol (sweetener)

Grapes

Vitamins

Gum

Bones

Chicken

Macadamia Nuts

Sugar

Bread

Cake

Coffee

Corn Cobs

Dough

Meat

Rawhide

Salmon

Avocado

Pet poisoning symptoms can include gastrointestinal and neurological problems, cardiac and respiratory distress, coma, and even death. Symptoms depend on the item and quantity ingested or inhaled, and the physiological response of each animal can vary.

Laura went on to say: "If you do want to give your pet a treat, most dogs are fine eating lean cuts of meat as long as they have been properly cooked and thoroughly cooled. You can further decrease the opportunity of food related problems by removing all visible fat -- including the skin on poultry and ensuring that there are no bones in meat before you give it to your dog."